The Moonshiners

Stephen Buckalew

Stephen was born with a fiddle in his hands.... which made childbirth very uncomfortable for his poor mother! Throughout his life, he also picked up the guitar and mandolin, bringing the same Buckalew magic to those instruments as well. Add his vocals to the mix and it's easy to see why he's the musical leader of the Moonshiners. Stephen has played many types of music in many bands over the years, and that diversity clearly shows up in Moonshiner music. Stephen grew up on Tussey Mountain, and he still lives practically right beside it. He loves the Central PA area, and so it was perfectly fitting to call the band Tussey Mountain Moonshiners.

Gwen Stimely

Gwen first started playing the banjo after seeing Bill Monroe years ago, but she was afraid to let anybody hear her. We’re so glad that she was having fun and didn’t give up, and eventually overcame that fear. Her unique playing style and wonderful vocals, along with her songwriting talent, are huge contributors to the Tussey Mountain Moonshiner’s success.

Bill Stetz

Bill Stetz has added his expressive bass playing (both upright and electric) to a wide variety of ensembles in the central PA region for over 30 years. While based in State College, PA he performed and/or recorded with Queen Bee and the Blue Hornet Band, AAA Blues Band, Arthur Goldstein Jazz Quartet and the Andy Tolins Bluegrass Revue along with a number of singer-songwriters including Kris Kehr. Relocating to the Susquehanna Valley region 15 years ago, he has played jazz with pianist Steve Adams and drummer Phil Haynes, and the trio Burgess, Stetz and James; rock and blues with the Ann Kerstetter Band, and most recently, bluegrass with the Tussey Mountain Moonshiners.

Steve Crawford

Steve was born and raised in that hotbed of bluegrass, suburban Philadelphia. In seventh grade he began playing bass, then guitar, in his father's band. Together with their friend George they formed the nucleus of a number of bands such as The Sounds of Bluegrass, The Haycock Mountain Rainbow Chasers, and the seminal Northeast Extension. In the years since Steve has played his original songs in honky tonks and barrooms from Anchorage to Austin, Boulder to Belgrade. He now lives in State College with his wife and two daughters, fine singers all.

Jeremy Tosten

Jeremy Tosten is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist leading and siding in a number of central Pennsylvania bands over the past 15 years. Influenced by gospel and blues roots, Jeremy brings a spirited and improvisational style to the band complementing the Moonshiners' original songs and arrangements.

Marc 'Lumber City Slim'Prave- Moonshiner Emeritus

Though no longer a full time Moonshiner, Marc "Lumber City Slim" still finds his way back to the stage to join us when he can. Marc is a multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter who has played a wide variety of music in multiple bands. When he isn't busy working, you can find him playing music working, as a Luthier, building and repairing instruments, or brewing beer and drinking it.